Clearing the Top Spot: Dortmund vs Monchengladbach

Bayern Munich was able to lock down the top spot prior to the season’s suspension. That makes them as the default champions should the season cease to return this year. However, the other four teams in the top five remain close by just a point and need to be separated.

In order to deal with those, we might just have to settle for a match that could create some gaps between the clubs. One of the hottest rivalries in the Bundesliga is between Borussia Dortmund and Borussia Monchengladbach - which are both in the top five race.

Dortmund has won its last four closing matches in the season to ensure that they would get a one point advantage over RB Leipzig. They have held down the second spot with 51 points - just four points shy from tying with Bayern Munich.

Meanwhile, Gladbach has struggled in their stretch, winning only three of those and losing one prior to their last match. They have hoisted a two-point lead over Bayer Leverkusen, who has 47 points in the season.

Dortmund has mustered a 15-6-4 record in their campaign. So far, the team’s youngsters have been efficient and have helped the team get back on its feet after a tough stretch in the Champions League.

Playing without Marco Reus, the team had to find ways in switching players. Coach Lucien Favre opted to put one of his youngsters on the starting XI, namely Gio Reyna, who has effectively stunned the league in his debut alongside Erling Haaland.

The same could not be said for Gladbach. The team had its own stretch of consistency back when both Bayern and Dortmund struggled mightily. It battled RB Leipzig for dominance but failed to win over Julian Nagelsmann’s squad.

They have worked hard all season long to secure a place in the top five. However, their consistency has worn out - allowing both Bayern and Dortmund to plummet back into the standings.

In a head to head battle, Dortmund clearly has the advantage over the slower players of Gladbach. In their meeting last August 2019, Dortmund hammered down Gladbach in a 2-1, where Achraf Hakimi salvaged a goal on his birthday to win it for the men in yellow.